Panna Cotta with Balsamic Strawberries

A little over six years ago my then-boyfriend and I were renting a condo in southern Orange County. One Sunday afternoon, after friends who had joined us for brunch had left, Mike suggested we go for a walk on the beach. This was the second time he’d made such a suggestion that weekend. The previous afternoon when he’d asked I had a banging headache and declined. He seemed kind of persistent on this…I said sure.

And, like any smart gal in her early thirties who had been dating her boyfriend for three years and was on “ring watch”, I grabbed my camera.

Salt Creek Beach ~ March 20, 2005

It was one of those picture-perfect southern California afternoons, complete with a cloudless sky and gentle ocean breezes. We ventured out to Salt Creek Beach in Laguna Niguel, near the Ritz-Carlton. Mike walked a little bit ahead of me, surveying the scene of sunbathers and surfers. He seemed to be looking for something. Like a specific place.

A place where he would get down on one knee…and ask me to marry him.

It really does seem like just yesterday to both of us, but Mike and I will be celebrating our fifth wedding anniversary this week. The Riedel wine tumblers that I used to serve today’s Panna Cotta with Balsamic Strawberries were actually wedding gifts that I finally just took out of their boxes for the first time this weekend. Bringing out the glasses to display these cool, white, creamy pillows and their balsamic-drenched sweet toppers brought back fond memories of that exciting time when we got married.

Panna Cotta with Balsamic Strawberries

From the Panna Cotta Parfait with Balsamic Strawberries recipe on the back of the Kroger unflavored gelatin package

Those tumblers are very nice, and the perfect vessel for your dessert. Balsamic and strawberry go so well together. I like the fresh mint leaf – nice touch!Nate @ House of Annie´s last blog post ..Chicken Piccata Recipe

I must make this! I’ve always wanted to try panna cotta, and now that the strawberries are in season, there’s no excuse not to – and I’ve also got some stemless martini glasses this would look great in. Congratulations on your anniversary!

I have been keeping panna cotta recipes in the back of my mind for some time! The presentation is always so beautiful, as yours is, too! I think I’m worried about using gelatin though… not even really sure where to find it in the store?Jennifer @ Raisin Questions´s last blog post ..If you’re on a diet- why not try Half-Pound Cake

LOVE that beach and your story. Did he really get down on his knee? So romantic. And the panna cotta goes perfectly with it all. I know I like the strawberries, but have never had panna cotta if you can believe it. Looks and sounds fabulous.

Happy anniversary to one of my favorite couples! This recipe looks delicious (and I was looking for something to do with all the strawberries from the farmers’ market this week). Lots of love to you and the kiddos!

Happy anniversary! I was going to say that I have been wanting to make panna cotta, but couldn’t find any unflavored gelatin at our grocery store until I saw that you got this recipe from a Kroger box. I shop at Kroger, so I guess I need to scour that store a little better! Mindy´s last blog post ..Birthday Boy!

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It's the recipe collection I didn't realize I had - the recipes printed right on the food packages in my kitchen. It's time for me to finally give them a try, and hopefully I'll find some hidden gems along the way.Learn more about me and this blog.